Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1887-01-20
THE SOLDIER AND THE STATESMAN.
BY REV. H. W. THOMAS.

The last Sabbath of 1886 will long be re-
membered as the day upon which Senator
John A. Logan died. The old year in pass
ing away could hardly have found and taken
with it any other of our more than fifty
millions of people whose going hence would
have been more deeply felt and sincerely
mourned than that of this distinguished
civil and military leader. The expressions
Of grief throughout the country have been
universal and sincere. Death is a benef-
cent angel; and in its presence the differ
ences that divide men in the battle and the
strife of the living are soon forgotten, and
the good that was in those who stood op-
posed to us in debate or in politics is gladly
confessed. And thus it is that the press of
the entire land is a unit in praising the
many noble and manly qualities of the de-
parted statesman and General.
But such was the life of General Logan
that it needed not the presence of this ben
eficent angel TO reveal its great worth. To
be distinguished both as a soldier and q
ciyilian-as a General in the army and a
Senator in the National Congress-is in
10 attain. 7Genefal Logan had filed both
these positions with credit and honor to
himself and 10 the country, and hence he
was respected and honored by those against
whom he fought, and loved by the soldiers
and politicians on whose side he stood. AS
soldier, General Logan filed every posi-
ton from private up to that OF General
with the same fidelity and ability, and he
seemed to command brigade or division
with as much ease as q company or regf-
ment. Indeed, it is entirely probable that,
had circumstances required or called him to
it, he could have taken the place of
Grant or Sherman. While he had pru-
| dence, he had not fear; and he had the
power of infusing into others his own
courage and hope, and hence his success in
| the day of battle. And he was as gentle to
| fallen foe as he was brave in meeting an
enemy. Such qualities always command
admiration.
1t cannot be said that Senator Logan was
in the highest sense statesman; that is,
| that he was deeply learned in the philoso-
ply and principles of government aud in
national and international law. To be
such requires not only great mental power
| but special education and training and
experience. Senator Logan had the mind
to have mastered all these, but his time
| and energies were not directed to this
special field. He was, however, a generally
well-iDformed, able, practical, and, above
| all, an honest statesman. 1t is safe to say
that he never knowingly did little or mean
thing. He seemed to be the very embodi-
ment of manliness. of honor, and of
honesty. He made no pretensions to great
scholastic attainments; but, with clear,
strong mind, and an honest and fearless
heart, he sought to do his duty, and for
such noble qualities he was honored III life,
and his memory will be sacred.
General Logan was the soldiers friend
and leader in war and in peace; aud he was
the peoples candidate and leader in poll
tics. The explanation is in this, that he
was q man of the people; lived near them
loved them, and labored for their welfare
and hence was trusted and loved In return.
No other one man had in so large sense
the love and confidence of the volunteer
soldiers of the entire country. 1--WE have
lost our best friend" was the sad exclama-
ton heard from thousands of soldiers al
over the land when il was known that Gen
eral Logan was dead. Strong men, who
had faced death on the field of battle with.
out fear, wept tears of love and sorrow
when it was said that their old commander
had passed from earth.
General Logan was comparatively
young man, and, il would seem, shoulC
have had many years vet in which to serve
his country and complete his work in thii
world. And 80 were Generals Grant ant
Mcclellan young, compared with the age o
Gladstone, and Emperor William, and BIS
marck. Indeed, it is a sad fact that s.
many of the public men of our country di
young, and the same is true OF many OF GU
business men. In the countries OF the Ole
World il is not expected that the best worl
of lie shall be done before the age OF fifty
but in our New World young men rusl
into business or professional life, or int
the army, before they are thoroughly de
veloped and hardened 10 stand the grea
strain that must como upon them, ant
hence so many die young. And then, tn
exposures and the hardships of the war ar
beginning TO tell upon those who escaped
death upon the battle field or in the hospi
tai. They were young and strong then, bu
now, after twenty five years, they find tina
they have not the reserve force 10 resist dis
ease that men of their age should have
That reserve force was drawn upon AM
used up in the long marches through col
and heat, and rain and snow, and In hunge
often, and the many terrible strains upol
mind and body. The deaths because OF tn
war should number nearly all of the thou
sands of soldiers who have died since tn
|. war closed-died, not from old age, bu
, from the seeds Of disease sown then,
, the weakness that resulted from its hard
ships. Such was the cause or Generf
Logan's death.
3 II is not well TO soy that poverty Is vir
tue. nor that IL In always 0, mark OF honest